JFLYNN

My compliments to your department. This sounds like an well thought out and commonsensical policy. Unfortunately you are more of an exception rather than the rule. It would be good policy for more departments to implement such procedures as you have.

Happy Birthday Dan!

Qtip

I think it is very admirable that Pleasantville VAC is looking to help out Schoharie County in their time of need. How did the powers that be determine that these particular items are needed up there and also how was it determined where and to whom it will be delivered?

Thank you.

Barry, isn't water supply the most important factor = ( 40%)? Communications 10%? All other, which includes staffing, training, apparatus, equipment, apparatus location and deployment = 50%? And all this will be changing signifcantly in the near future as I understand? Congratulations Mamaroneck.

Is that a misprint or are you truly an Assistant Chief at between 21-24 years old?

Is there an address for those of us who can't make it to send a check?

Wow, very salty...aw shucks, you make it seem so simple Lt. .... Tell me, if the fire was bigger then the one pictured, would you suggest 3.5"?

Great stop guys. I'm curious why you decided to go with 2.5" for this?

Yes, these alleged acts are about as repulsive as it gets. However, the town leaders do have a responsibility to be proactive and take whatever reasonable steps to ensure such incidents do not take place. Those town leaders who fail to truly lead, and who put their heads in the sand about known or suspected problems in emergency services, (whether career or volunteer) should be held accountable as well when the inevitable major problems occur.

I rarely stick my 2 cents in on NYC issues as I feel there are many on this board more qualified to comment than I am, however, I must chime in here... I am shocked that you could make this statement. You are a paramedic working in NYC and you are stating that the FDNY CFR program does not work and should be stopped? You also state that if the CFR program was stopped "20 fire companies could be closed without a problem". What did you smoke before typing??????

Yes, I've heard about this before. Sounds like a great system. Too bad for many of the younger members of the volunteer fire service here in the U.S. that their seniors will never fight for such a system here...imagine if we took all the money spent (wasted) in the volunteer fire service on mega-over duplication of apparatus, fire stations, and equipment, LOSAP, tax breaks, education and recruitment incentives, workers comp and liability insurance, lavish social events, etc.. We could have a truly professional and accountable fire service throughout NYS, and many of the younger members of the volunteer fire service would have a better opportunity to make a few bucks and have access to quality training, someday maybe leading to a fulltime career. Instead, the myth of how much savings to the taxpayers is provided by volunteer firefighters will continue to be perpetuated by their leaders. Wake up young guys and shake things up a bit!

This is a ridiculous statement. What you are referring to is a combination department, not a career department. The career member in question was almost certainly directed to drive the apparatus to the parade by his volunteer "superiors", who very probably refer to him (with intent and purpose) as "driver", not "Firefighter". Kudos to the many level headed, volunteers who care about their community and have had the courage to criticize in this thread the disgraceful practice of taking apparatus out of their district for a parade. I do have an agenda about lots of issues. One of my issues (concerns) is the ridiculous and hypocritical practice of bringing apparatus to parades outside of the district. I hear constantly about the need for funding and incentives to recruit to fill the diminishing ranks of volunteer firefighters who will "save the community the enormous cost of a paid fire department" (btw always using the word "paid" as opposed to "career"...this too is done with intent and purpose)...It is also incessantly and inanely regurgitated that "volunteers and career guys are the same and provide the same level of service"...The practice of bringing apparatus and a large percentage of members to parades outside district flies directly in the face of these statements. It is apparent that this is a legitimate issue and it is not unfair basing of volunteer by career members. Many volunteer firefighters are ethical and have common sense enough to realize that this archaic practice no longer has a place in the fire service if "we", yes "we" (career and volunteer) take the oaths we have sworn to our community's seriously. Many volunteer firefighters have stated so in this thread and in other threads previously... Are we beating a dead horse? Absolutely not! The problem still exists! Any avenue available to expose this problem for what it is should be taken. Many people outside of the fire service are unaware of this situation and many inside of the fire service are complacent and / or resistant to change. So, those of us who have an agenda will repeat our mantra...most others will remain on the sidelines, some may feel inspired to join in and speak up for positive change, and of course we will always have those individuals who will rationalize, attack the messenger, or blame shift. Eventually though, apparatus in out of district parades will go the way of horse drawn engines, wooden ladders, and pullup rubber boots (Lord, how I miss those!) Hopefully, the discarding of this practice will happen as the result of rational, forward thinking fire service leaders and not as a consequence of a high- profile tragedy.

Apparently, the end is near....

Yes a walk around is important. And if you can't see where you are putting your foot, you should be CRAWLING

When I sing in the shower each morning I am striving for the same goals as is Bono from U2...when I shoot hoops in my driveway I am striving for the same goals as Larry Byrd did in his time...when I decide where to invest in my extremely meager retirement accounts I am striving for the same goals as Warren Buffet...so far despite all my striving and good intentions, my results have not been the equivalent of theirs...

Where in Westchester are you? An annual budget of $375,000 seems low compared to what I have seen elsewhere for similar sized communities in Westchester? Does this figure include LOSAP (if applicable), workers comp, health care (if applicable), apparatus, fuel, maintenance, facilities and equipment, training, etc.? Also, any tax credits or rebates given to members if applicable should be factored in to the total budget.

Making blanket, all encompassing statements about groups of people is almost always wrong, as it obviously is in this case. I hope nobody takes the bait and drinks this guys poison, on either side of this issue.

I'm done responding directly to this guy as it's hopeless IMO. However, I will continue to respond whenever he posts inaccurate or misleading information, which is often...he continues to quote me out of context in his attempts to slander and discredit...so, follow the threads all the way through and make your own judgements. As far as there being a serious issue in the volunteer fire service in relation to members commiting arson, well I did bring it up as part of a response to a post and not as slander. In fact, I intentionally only made a brief mention of it since I felt it was relevant, yet I was trying to be as "gentle" as possible in making my point. Since this individual has chosen to dispute my statement, I will elaborate on what many of us on this forum already know...it is correct stating that a career firefighter was the worst serial arsonist on record. There have been other cases of career firefighters commiting arson also. However, the vast, overwhelming majority of firefighter arsonists are indisputedly volunteer firefighters. I'm busy right now and I don't really see the need to harp on this issue.However, If this fact is disputed further, I am happy to provide compelling evidence . All that being said, I will also state that (obviously) the vast, overwhelming majority of volunteer firefighters are not arsonists and are in fact, good, community minded people. This disclaimer is made in advance of what I anticipate to be another post by the above individual who will attempt to twist my words.

There have been a lot of good points and observations made here by some obviously knowledgeable individuals. A few of the posts have brought out some things I missed. A few I have a difference of opinion. Too tired to get into it right now but I will later. Didn't want you to think I made an "Irish exit" on this one...

You don't want to use the Webster's definition for volunteer but rather what you claim is the legal definition?. However, you would definitely want to use the Webster's definition for "professional" as you would relate this word to volunteer and career firefighters, right? At least that is what I have read many times on here before. Why not use the legal definition for professional firefighter then, ok? In any courtroom, if an attorney were to refer to a Firefighter as "professional" he would undoubdetly be making the distinction between career and volunteer. You can't have it both ways, no? Funny thing is, I really don't care if a volunteer wants to share the term professional with us career guys...I get the argument...I just wanted to point out the hypocrisy in your argument. The rest of your argument is specious and not necessary to reply to but thanks for exposing yourself still further as to your feelings vis a vis career firefighters.

Nice post. It is a shame that many times it is necessary to have to reiterate what you actually say on here isn't it? As I mentioned earlier, oftentimes those who don't have a good argument based on facts will attempt to distract by attacking another issue, or by misstating what was actually said by someone on the other side of the issue. Chief, you obviously realize that the only appropriate tactic when faced with this type of attack is to stick to the issues, keep it honest, not resort to personal attack, and repeat the message as much as necessary,using examples, humor, and whatever "teaching" skill may grab the attention of the reader, or listener. Most of the silent majority realize this already also and can clearly see things as they truly are, same as in real life. For many of the younger , more impressionable guys out there maybe reading these recent posts with all the unnecessary drama can serve as a valuable life lesson. Repetition breeds retention and the best response to false rumor and slander is to stay calm and patiently state and restate your case as necessary.

I will give you and A for effort and originality. It was also refreshing to see a poster on the other side of this issue make a gramatically correct post with no spelling errors and no personal attacks. Good for you! You obvously realize that humor and deflection are excellent tactics to use in a debate when the facts are just not on your side. However, the point still remains...a true volunteer does not ask for or receive compensation for the services provided.